Goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul always wanted to play his MLS soccer in New York, over a decade ago when he was a schoolboy standout at Martin Luther King High, in essence barnstorming and playing their games at parks all over the city. Years later, he may finally get his wish.

The 27-year-old native of Senegal is on trial with the Red Bulls, with an eye to signing with the club he has always considered his hometown team.

“It’s good to be home. I know pretty much everyone in Red Bulls organization. Coming here, training and doing what I normally do comes naturally. So far, so good,” said Coundoul, who was waived by Colorado and would prefer the Red Bulls to any other league destination.

“Definitely, because when I was in college I college I always used to want to play _ when it used to be the MetroSars _ I always wanted to play with them. But then I didn’t get drafted by them, and ended up in Colorado. So if I get an opportunity to play for the home team, I will go for it.” Coundoul moved to the Bronx back in 1997, and has been a MetroStars/Red Bulls fan since _ although he admitted to attending a Giants Stadium game in either 2000 or 2001 and rooting for fellow Senegalese native Mamadou Diallo. After starring at MLK and later Albany, he got drafted by the Rapids in 2005 and excelled in Colorado as well.

After taking over the starting job in 2007, his 1.08 goals-against-average was third-best in MLS that year, earning him “Bouna Time” chants from the crowd and a cap in the African Cup of Nations. His career 1.16 goals-against-average is second-best in league history, his 73.5 save percentage fifth all-time.

He couldn’t come to terms with Colorado, so he’s now a free agent; but the Rapids retained his rights because they made him an offer. He tried to latch on in Europe, and expansion Philadelphia is interested next year. But what’s that saying about a bird in the hand? Especially when one has bills to pay?

“Well, now is better than later,” Coundoul said with a pearly-white smile. “If I can start playing now, I would go for it rather than in seven months. Philadelphia is a great area for soccer because they’ve been wanting to join the league for awhile; but New York is already in. It’s (been) a dream to play in front of friends and family and everybody I’ve known in the city.”

Agent Ron Waxman got him in the door; now it’s up to Coundoul to impress coach Juan Carlos Osorio and sporting director Jeff Agoos enough to match either of the Rapids’ two requests.

“Initially we had the discussions just so see what kind of ballpark they were in,” Agoos said. “We don’t know if that’s the right ballpark for us. We wanted to see him.

“If they were asking for Juan Pablo Angel, we’re not even considering it. But if it’s something we think is attainable, and if we believe he’s the right player and we have the right funds then maybe its something we discuss. But in our talks with Colorado, we’re still a little ways away; there still has to be some negotiation.”

Young third-year keeper Danny Cepero had the best game of his career last weekend in Toronto, stopping a breakaway and a penalty kick in a 2-1 loss. The staff was impressed, and he seems likely to keep the starting job, but Osorio wants to see Coundoul stacked up against Cepero and Jon Conway.

“(He’s) very athletic,” Osorio said yesterday. “He’s a player that is a free agent. We wanted to take a look at as many players as we can, because there’s no doubt that we need to strengthen the team. But at this particular time I’m not leaning one way or the other.

“We’ve had conversations with them and we are aware of what they want. Yes (we’d do it) if we think he can make a difference. But again, at this moment I’m very pleased with Danny’s performance. But we are comfortable (with their requests). There’s two possibilities…we have good options.

“But the first thing and most important thing is to make sure he is better than what we have. But at this moment I’m not leaning either way…If we can do something with his club, then I’d think we will do it, but at the moment he has to be a lot better than the others for me to consider that.”

OK, let me just say this. Cepero is this team’s starter. Osorio knows it, Conway knows it, I’m sure Cepero knows it. But Coundoul doesn’t have to be a starter to get signed; it’s probably a matte of if he’s SIGNIFICANTLY better than Conway and if the Red Bulls can negotiate a fair deal with Colorado. What do you think happens? Want to see a local boy-via-Senegal come home? Share your views…..